Mulled Apple Cider Mocktail
Warm and aromatic non-alcoholic mulled apple cider made with homemade apple juice, spices, and oranges. A cozy, festive mocktail perfect for Christmas!
Servings: 2 drinks
Ingredients
- 3 cups homemade apple juice or store-bought; see note below
- ½ cups water
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar adds a slight tang for balance
- 3-4 tbsp brown sugar optional for homemade juice; omit for store-bought
- 1 large cinnamon stick
- 1 star anise
- 2 cloves
- 4 slices orange
Instructions
- In a medium-sized pot, add apple juice, water, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, cinnamon stick, star anise, cloves, and orange slices. Heat over medium-high heat until it’s just starting to bubble.
- Turn heat down to the lowest setting, cover with lid, and let simmer for 15–20 minutes.
- Strain the cider into mugs. Garnish each mug with a cinnamon stick, a slice of orange, and serve warm/
Notes
- Store-Bought Apple Juice: Skip the brown sugar if using store bought juice, since it’s already sweet.
- Spice It Your Way: Love bold flavors? Add extra cinnamon or toss in a bit of nutmeg or cardamom.
- Make It Ahead: You can keep the cider warm in a slow cooker if you’re serving a crowd.
